Marco Silva believes Richarlison "gives Everton different options" as he backed his new signing to make an impact for the Blues after the Brazilian's Club debut against Blackburn Rovers on Thursday night.
The 21-year-old, who signed a five-year deal on Tuesday, played the second half at Ewood Park and showed glimpses of the pace, skill and directness that made the Toffees boss so eager the bring him to Goodison Park from Watford.
Richarlison, who Silva first brought to England last summer when he was Hornets manager, contributed to an improved Everton display after the break and twice went close to marking his Everton debut with a goal.
First, after some neat footwork, he curled a shot just over the bar, before he displayed his aerial prowess to get on the end of a Kieran Dowell cross, but his effort went inches wide.
Silva revealed Richarlison has already acclimatised well to life at Everton, insisting his range of attributes will complement the attacking players already in the Blues squad.
“He’s settled in over these first two days,” Silva told evertonfc.com. “I know him very well. He’s one more player to improve our squad and to create competition is important for me.
“He’s a different winger to what we have, he can give us different options. We need to support him but he’ll have a good impact on our squad.”
Richarlison was one of nine changes Silva made at half-time, as the Blues continued to step up their preparations for the new season.
Everton kick off their Premier League campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on August 11.
While Silva admitted the 3-0 loss was not what the Blues were looking for, he was encouraged by the commitment and desire his side showed throughout the game and emphasised that fitness is all-important at this stage.
“We are working really hard,” he said. “We have been using two different teams, giving 45 minutes each because it’s important we give time to many players and we will do the same on Saturday [against Rennes] as well.
“The first half was not good for us. It was a bit different in the second half but we made some mistakes and always when you make mistakes they have chances to score.
“But we had very good chances to score, more in the second half. In the first half with Gylfi [Sigurdsson] and then three or four in the second half. We did not have the final touch in these moments but that is something we are working to improve.”
